It is sometimes considered to be a subspecies of the greater double-collared sunbird (Cinnyris afer).

The adult male has a glossy, metallic green head, throat upper breast and back with no bronzy tinge.

The eye is dark brown while the beak, legs and feet are black.

The adult female has dark greyish-brown upper parts and a blackish-brown tail.

The chin and supercilium are greyish-buff and the underparts brownish-grey, with the central part of the lower breast and belly being yellowish.